Saturday, September 25, 2010

Union ‘IN’ the True Vine of God

“Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you.A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine.In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

~John 15:4 (TEV).

The vineyard imagery is thick with meaning.Essentially we’re reliant on God if we hope to live a fruitful life.This verse of Scripture might be more a reminder against idolatry—which is our virulently foolish way of walking away from God even for a moment—than anything else.

God – the Source

The life that comes from God’s Spirit into our lives is a source of sustenance that we were never meant to be without.Sure, we can fill our lives with all manner of ‘stuff’ and we go moments, days, weeks, months, years, and entire lifetimes without even taking a moment to genuinely pause and challenge ourselves to this—if we want to.

God gives us the choice.

Emptiness is one sign; busyness another.Still further, an absence of feeling or a reticence to feel; feelings like these rejected because of their innate awkwardness.The more vacancy we feel the more, ironically, we run from God—the only One that can address our spiritual vacancy.

We All Walk Away

This is as much a problem for the believer as it is for the non-believer of God.Truly, it’s every bit as much, without a skerrick of exaggeration.Humbling reality, isn’t it?

The believer might believe in God, but if they don’t place their lived-out faith in this Spirit raising sons and daughters to royalty—the want for a noble life of giving—they won’t draw on God’s power for life.This is staying unified in the Vine; a daily, moment-by-moment re-commitment to trusting God by obeying him.

The Way Back Home

Jesus knew that we’d walk away.He was reminded many times how strangely incoherent his own disciples were.We too are strangely incoherent.It’s okay.God knows it’s our nature.God knows we need unification to the Vine.

God always promises to draw in toward us as a response to our drawing close to God (James 4:8).This is immediately beneficial to both us and ultimately for others too.

Not only are we reliant on the Vine of God for our spiritual security and wellbeing we also are reliant on this vital connection for our further fruitfulness, which is blessing unto others’ lives.And we can only ever feel truly very good about ourselves when we’re developing ourselves and selflessly giving to others, and doing these for God and from no other motive at all—as far as that’s achievable for us.

Pain that heals a soul’s Pain
-
*Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash*
People often resist the path of pressure that will augment healing. It
stands to reason, healing costs. There is a pai...

2 days ago

Steve Wickham (Author Page)

My Ezine-Articles

My Passion... a work in progress.

Have you ever thought much about the purpose of your life? (The message to the meaning of life is more urgent than I first thought.)
sIt is to reconcile the inner discord within every single one of us. Most of us are actually somewhat blind to this. We search for peace almost everywhere but often miss the actual source.
sIt’s about God. It’s about relationship. It’s about growing passionately toward God, worshipping Him via the things we think, say and do -- a commitment for the rest of our lives. At its essence, this involves a continual process of learning.

My Specific Call

My key passion is upholding a vision of life balance and re-creation of value for living, and an exploration of the spiritual person within us. As an advocate for a fair, right and just life, I have a passion for Biblical wisdom, including the Psalms.